STATEMENT OF DR. KLAUS TOEPFER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE UNITED NATIONS
ENVIRONMENT
PROGRAMME, REGARDING THE AWARD OF THE NOBEL PEACE PRIZE TO PROFESSOR
WANGARI
MAATHAI
UN Environment Programme
Friday, October 8, 2004
Understanding is growing throughout the world of the close links between
environmental protection and global security, so it is most fitting that
the Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded this year to Africa's staunchest
defender of the environment, Professor Wangari Maathai, for her
contribution to sustainable development, democracy and peace.

This award marks the culmination of a lifelong and passionate fight for the
environment. Professor Wangari Maathai is a leader whose example should
inspire us all, especially the women and children of Africa, who shoulder
so much of Africa's burden of poverty, conflict and environmental
degradation, and who so much deserve role models to show them the way to a
better future.

Professor Maathai is just such a role model. For decades she has been a
fearless opponent of the grabbing of public land and the destruction of
forests, and a vigorous advocate for democracy and environmental
protection. She founded the Green Belt Movement in Kenya, which has
planted more than 20 million trees throughout Africa, and was recognized
with a UNEP Global 500 award in 1987.

In a recent interview for a UNEP documentary, Professor Maathai said: "I
love the trees, I love the colour. To me they represent life, and they
represent hope. I think it is the green colour. I tell people I think
heaven is green."

This Prize goes alongside the many accolades Professor Maathai has received
over the years, including the Goldman Environment Prize and the Sophie
Prize, which she received in March 2004 "for her fearless fight for the
protection of the environment, human rights and promotion of democratic
governance in Kenya." Professor Maathai is also a long-standing jury
member of the UNEP Sasakawa Environment Prize.

In December 2002 Professor Maathai was elected to Kenya's parliament with
an overwhelming majority and appointed as Deputy Minister for Environment
and Natural Resources, testament to the respect she commands from the
people of Kenya.

UNEP congratulates Professor Maathai for being awarded the Nobel Peace
Prize. By this award, the Nobel Prize Committee is honouring Professor
Maathai and the global environment on which we all depend for a peaceful
and secure future.